Grassroots preview: Team Griffin
Team Griffin looks a little different than last year with no 17U squad on the NIKE EYBL Circuit, but they do return 16U and 15U squads who will both be on the NIKE Circuit. Taylor Griffin has taken on the role as the programs director. Another change is the addition of Art Bogan is the head coach of the 16U squad.
Bogan is having early success in the 2017 Team Griffin campaign leading the 16U to the Prep Hoops Route 66 Kick Off Championship and a trip to the finals of the MADE Hoops Event in Arkansas. Now the real thing gets underway this weekend as Team Griffin heads to Houston.
The Team Griffin 16U squad is littered with Division I talent throughout the roster. Bogan has established several goals with this team.
“Development on and off the floor,” said Coach Bogan. “Academic success finishing the school year strong, take ACT, Exposure most of the team have said they want to end summer with D1 offers. Learn to dominate opponents into quitting. Take no possession off. Play every play like it’s our last.”
The top two Oklahoma players on the roster are becoming well known names in Oklahoma in Kobe Burgess and Julian Smith. Burgess holds the top spot in the 2019 Prep Hoops Oklahoma prospects rankings with Smith on his heels at the 2 spot. One thing Burgess and Smith don’t have yet is their first Division I offers, but that will change very soon.
Jacob Germany at 6’10 in the Post will wow colleges with his size especially as he continues to develop over this year. Germany just took on basketball for the full time setting aside his baseball career. Germany has a chance to be the best player out of Oklahoma in the 2019 Class.
Ben Smith will surprise teams with his athleticism, toughness and non-stop hustle on the floor. At 6’6 Smith will be a problem for squads this summer. Isaiah LeBlanc is an intriguing 2020 Guard out of Houston with a smooth pull up jumper. LeBlanc has a chance to be a special offensive talent. He is already receiving interest from several Division I colleges. Drew Tennial is a long Wing who gives Team Griffin another element with his ball handling skills and presence on the floor. Tennial is still raw in some areas, but certainly shows flashes of brilliance in the 2019 Oklahoma Class.
Off the bench Jaylen O’Conner is a 2019 Wing who is very intriguing at first glance of his game. The length of O’Conner complimented by his skill set will impress colleges. Three bigs off the bench in Julian Cockrell, Antonio Gordon and Stayve Thomas (Class of 2020) give Team Griffin depth. Cockrell and Gordon are two Oklahoma bigs who have a lot of development to do. Thomas is a 2020 player out of Houston who does a great job in his role.
Coach Bogan is enjoying coaching his guys and hopes for big things on the NIKE Circuit this summer.
“I have enjoyed getting to know each of these personally,” said Coach Bogan. “Learning what’s behind their drive as basketball players. The selflessness of this team has been great too see early in the season. They are a humble and hungry group of players.”
Team Griffin is in Houston this week for the H-Town Classic. Next week they begin their journey in the NIKE Circuit in Indianapolis.
For more information email Matt@prephoopsoklahoma.com